The Homesick Texan Cookbook, an introduction

Here’s my recipe on how to make a cookbook, The Homesick Texan Cookbook to be exact:

1. Be born in Dallas, the newest member of a long line of Texans that have been living in the state since the mid 1800s. But do you care about your esteemed Texan heritage? Heck no! You tell your parents at a very young age that you want to live in New York City. They take you to Herrera’s, order you tamales and pray for the best.

2. Now, how does a young Texan become enamored with New York City? Let’s blame Maurice Sendak, E.L. Konigsberg, E.B. White, Rhoda, Woody Allen and Sesame Street. At nine, your family moves to Houston and you fall in love with its green sauce, Gulf seafood, ice-house hamburgers and dewberries growing along the bayou. You even reconsider your desire to move to New York City, but in your early 20’s a job in Manhattan beckons and you heed its call.

3. In 1995, you arrive in New York and realize that you’ve been hoodwinked; there is no decent Mexican food in the whole city! And let’s not even begin to discuss the lack of Ro-Tel, barbecue, chili, chicken-fried steak, queso and everything else you’ve been eating your whole life. You are hungry. So now what do you do?

4. In your tiny Manhattan kitchen, you attempt to recreate your favorite Texan dishes for your New York friends as it’s important that they learn the joys of your homeland’s cuisine. You also buy a camera and start taking photos of food and words and such. One day, you decide to combine these two joys into a blog. You name it Homesick Texan.

5. You meet lots of wonderful people on the blog, a mix of food lovers from all paths—both Texan and non-Texan alike. And sure, some of the Texas food issues in New York City may have improved over the years, but it’s still not home. One day, you receive an email from one of your readers who is both a homesick Texan and a literary agent. She thinks that you should write a book. Fast forward a few weeks and you discover that others believe you should write a book, too. You happily accept an offer from Hyperion and start cooking. The Homesick Texan Cookbook is born.

Now, allow me tell you a little bit about my book. It’s going to be hardcover and will have lots of stories, photos and recipes—just like the blog. There will be about 150 recipes in total and while a few will be some of my favorites from the site, most of the recipes will be brand new.

The book is coming out in fall 2011, which means that I’m going to be very, very busy for the rest of the year. But I don’t mind as I can’t think of a finer way to spend my time. If you like, I’ll be giving you updates as I write the book. And don’t worry—I’ll keep blogging, too.

But as for now, I’m just going to keep pinching myself. And, of course, writing and cooking as well. Thank you so much for your support! I couldn’t have done this without you. Now please excuse me—I have a book to write.

Wow, can't wait for it!! I'm a Canadian, who moved to Texas for a while and since then, I've been all over the states. But I became obsessed with Tex-Mex for the short time I lived in Texas….I love making my own versions at home and have tried a few of your recipes. Keep up the great work!

Congratulations! I'm sure it will be a marvelous book. All of the recipes I've made from your site have turned out beautifully and I know the book will be a valueable source of new ones! (I'm crossing my fingers that you write about lard in the book…more people need to be converted!)

So happy for you! Can't wait until it comes out. I have printed out and tried so many of your recipes (we love your killer squash casseroles)and so many more are on my must cook list but I don't know what I enjoy most – the recipes or the stories.

When this native New Yorker moved to Texas I missed my NYC foods (pastrami anyone? anyone?)but now that I'm back East I think I miss my Texas foods even more.

Congratulations, Lisa!!! What wonderful news. And very well deserved! Though I'm a born & raised WI Cheesehead, Texas intrigues me! It's boldness, pride, joyfulness & quirkiness. I also love the food you write about and the fabulous stories you share. Can't wait for your book, and to hear about your writing process. Oh, and please, please, please, can I be a recipe tester!?!?!?

I am SO excited!!! You are the one who got me interested in food blogging in the first place, so you have to know I will be out there buying a copy just as soon as it is on the shelves! if you make it to Seattle on a book tour I'd love to meet up.

OK what took you so long? Always was a fan of southern cooking and ran across your site accidentally awhile back and started exploring some of your interesting recipes & stories. Well, a well deserved sincere congrats Lisa..Do me a favor trying to go greener and let me know if I could obtain it digitally if possibly as I'm kinda running out of room for any more cookbook in my kitchen! Thanks L

Such wonderful news! This homesick Texan in Hong Kong can't wait to start cooking from your book, as I have been doing from the blog for years. (Also, my computer thanks you; it doesn't like its forays into the kitchen.)

Hells yes! I was hoping that is what it meant when you tweeted that you were cleaning out your desk!! CANNOT wait to read it! Let me know if you need a recipe tester. I'm good for at least one or two (I already know your biscuits are perfect 😉

Well, Hallelujah and hold the sauce! I KNEW you'd finally do this! Oklahoma has their Pioneer Woman and WE NEEDED OUR HOMESICK TEXAN!! Yeehaw!! (can you tell I'm excited). I send your recipes to my (less fortunate) relatives in Missouri and they've really enjoyed the "true" cuisine, the TEXAS cuisine.

Seriously, I'm so happy for you and will be looking to buy 6 copies as soon as they're off the press – one for each of my adult children, one for me, one for my mom and one for the aforementioned Missouri kinfolk. Oh heck, one each for my two Okie girlfriends. So make that EIGHT copies! Way to GO! This Katy gal is one happy chick and I can say "I knew her when…"

Holy Guacamole, that's awesome! I've been wondering when you'd get around to doing this. This native Austinite can't wait to welcome you to her home (well, in book form anyway, but you would be most welcome in person form too)! Congratulations!

I live in downtown DC and miss Texas food — my native cuisine — every single day. I would literally kill for a good Frito Pie most days, to say nothing of proper cheese enchiladas, chicken fried steak, or a chicken and dumplings. _sigh_

Joining everyone else, I definitely wish you well – though I have a suggestion and a request for your book:

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! Please include as many pictures of your recipes as you can.

Having published a few books in my day I know how expensive it can be to include a photo in a book. So, I have a suggestion that could make it less expensive but still informative for your readers. Since I know you're going to make all your recipes at some point take a picture and either post them on your blog here or open a flicker account (it's free) and publish them there. They all don't have to be professionally set up.

I love to see recipes before I make them. Plus, if it looks interesting, I'm more likely to try it.

Congratulations!! I can't wait for it to come out. I am a homesick Texan in Tennessee. The mexican food stinks here too!! I love you recipes. If I close my eyes and enjoy the taste it is almost like being home.

That's wonderful! You have the best blog and the best recipes. I just made your banana pudding with a ROASTED banana in the skin – it just blasts all banana puddings away. Can't wait for the book to come out!

Lisa – I am so happy for you and can't wait to see the end result and to hear about your adventures as you write it. Yay! (this is where i toss my cowboy hat in the air in celebrations. you'll just have to imagine that though.) =)

I absolutely cannot wait!! Born in Floresville, and raised in San Antonio, yet displaced by the US ARMY thanks to my husband, I am ALWAYS searching for recipes to recreate my favorites. Thankfully he is from South Texas too so he misses the food as much and is always a willing taste tester. It saddens me that no where we go is there a good fajita, a homemade tortilla, or a good margarita to be found! I have to make them at home. Thank you so much for this blog and good luck and great success with the cookbook!!

Woo hoo! As a long time (quiet) reader, I am thrilled! I have made so many of your recipes – even though I'm from Australia and have not been to Texas or Mexico the food style feels like home to me, so I can't wait for your book!

I still find it a little absurb you can't find Ro-Tel in NYC. Perhaps you should offer a small bribe to one of your local bodega operators to get you a case or two. Queso with sausage just isn't the same without it.

Congratulations, Lisa! I hope the cookbook will have all the "flavor" of Homesick Texan… including lots and lots of your great food photography. I think I only have room for one more cookbook, and this will definitely be it!

Congratulations! As an avid reader of your blog I am looking forward to purchasing a copy of your cookbook. While I may be a born and bred NYer I'm a firm believer that I'm a Texan at heart and like you I spend a lot of time recreating my memories of Texas in the form of food in my tiny NYC kitchen. Thank you so much and best of luck.

I am SO SO happy for you! I also have ancestors that moved to Texas in the mid 1800s, so Texas food is in my blood. I lived in Texas for 37 years and I raised my children on Texas food. I have now lived in Arizona for the past 19 years. My children are here too, but we still eat like Texans. I now have a grandson who is five. He will be getting a copy of your book so that he can always make authentic Texas food. He lived in Texas for one year last year before moving back to Arizona and even though he was quite young, he LOVED the food. I think all of us misplaced Texans need to buy copies for our children and grandchildren. I love your blog, but to have it in book form will be wonderful!!

How exciting for you. I have been following your blog for about a year now from H-Town. I have been to many of the restaurants that you mention in your blog when you visit. Even though I am not a misplaced Texan, I still love your recipes.

As they say 'round these here parts, "You go girl!"I imagine this book will be pretty darn good and a must have for my small but selective library of cookbooks. It'll be a worthy investment and save me money from printing out all your other great recipes to boot.Good luck Lisa.Best regards,Wes

Way to go! I am so happy for you, and so pleased to see that food from Texas will get the proper treatment and love it deserves! I suppose I will have to go have some Tex-Mex in your honor! Maybe even a margarita toast to your success!

Lisa!! I am so happy for you!! I love your blog and read it often and create recipes from your repetoire, so much so I am even now making my own chorizo (because I can!!). I am so excited and I cannot wait to purchase a copy…work it gurl!! Cook your heart out the world needs a Homesick Texan! Yay!!

Congratulations! I can't wait to see the book when it comes out. I am not Texan by birth but I got here as soon as I could (beginning with a fine education from The University of Texas at Austin) and have never left! 🙂

Congratulations Lisa!! You deserve it! I love your site and agree, it's hard to move to a new place and be completely unable to find your comforts of home culinarily. I can't wait to have your treasure in hardback!!

I can't wait as I have been loving your recipes for quite some time. I enjoy being able to re-create my favorite childhood meals right here in Nebraska (which will be, England in a few short months). I sure do hope that I am able to find refried beans and ro-tel in England. Thanks again Lisa for getting a wonderful Texas cookbook together.

Too Cool! I'll be first in line to get my copy. Your blog has been a little slice of heaven for this displaced Texans. I adore Manhattan, but miss good Texas food. And your blog always takes me back and reminds me that you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl!!!!!

I stumbled upon your blog about 2 weeks ago after I experienced my first visit to Texas. The food there was incredible and I was searching for recipes to share some of the delights with my family (mainly kolaches). I'm glad I found out about your blog BEFORE you announced the cookbook so that I don't feel like an after-the-fact-wannabe.

Congratulations, Lisa!! I used to be a regular reader here but, unfortunately, have not had as much time to browse the blogs lately. Just saw the notice about your book in Publishers Lunch and had to hop on over to wish you the best!

'Course, now that I'm here, it looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do. I'm getting hungry already…

GOOD FOR YOU! I love your blog and visit regularly but rarely leave a comment. I live in the Midwest but am originally from Northwest Louisiana. Many of your flavors overlap with what I grew up on — and still crave. Ro-tel is available here in the Midwest, but most folks look at it with suspicion.Congratulations. -Lisa

Many congratulations. Happy to know you'll keep blogging too! Your blog is my recipe book for all my Tex-Mex meals here in Australia. Your recipes make being a Homesick Texan a lot more bearable. Can't wait for the book. Best of luck!

I´m a homesick Texan too even though I´m Spanish and I just lived in Dallas for one year. But it was a great year, one of the best of my life. The family I lived with became my second family and in spite of coming from a country where food is a joy, a celebration, it was there, in Dallas, where I learnt to appreciate food, thanks to my host father, who is a great cook. That´s why I love your blog so much and that´s why I will buy your book for sure. Un fuerte abrazo.

Ok, I think it's time to stop lurking and post something. CONGRATULATIONS!!

I found this blog when I got back from my first trip to Austin over a year ago – I loved the food so much I got withdrawals asa I got back to Europe. And I love it! The recipes, the posts… you've cheered me up so so many times, thank you so much for this. I made it back to Austin a couple of months ago and loved the food even more if possible, you can be sure I'll be pre-ordering your book asap!

I am delighted for you . . . and us! I am also a homesick Texan from Dallas who has been living in NYC, but recently moved to CT where there is even less Mexican food (if you can believe it). The best Mexican (Tex-Mex and Texan) food around is in my own kitchen, and I share liberally with my friends.

You will do great with the recipe book, and we are all happy to be part of your test kitchen.

I am so excited about buying this cookbook! As a displaced (and hungry) Texan living in San Francisco, I read your blog religiously to keep my heritage fresh and remind me of how often I need to make it home for a breakfast taco. Can you believe they don't know what those are here?

Anyway, I always use your fail-safe recipes for lots of things, so thank you!

This is great news! Always a pleasure to see a fellow Texan succeed, and even better when said Texan is introducing our tasty traditions and rich history to those not fortunate enough to have been born here themselves. I love reading your blog and have no doubt your book will be a treat as well. Keep up the good work!

Excellent. I felt so close to you reading your blog though I don't know you at all…I am a transplant from Houston in NYC. I import RoTel in my luggage and share with my friends here. Frankly it is a shame that Whole Foods, a Texas company, is all over the city but does not have RoTel. Am an avid cookbook reader, eater and foodmaker…and miss the foods I took for granted at home. Write on and best wishes on your endeavor!

I am a homesick, native Texan….living in….well…does it really matter. I miss the good ol' Texas Sopapilla's. Will you have a recipe in your new cookbook for those? I can't seem to find the puffy sugary kind with honey in the midwest.

Absolutely can't wait – fell in love with your blog the first time I laid eyes on it – I'm a homesick Texan/Louisianian living in Florida – my plight not quite as dire as yours in NYC! Congrats and where do I order it??

My partner and I were talking a few months ago about food blogs with cookbooks and which ones we thought should have books and which shouldn't bother. We both decided that your blog really needed one – despite us being vegetarian we love your blog (your queso has become a staple in our house) and will definitely be buying the book.

I, too, am a displaced native Texan (Dallasite) in NY, and I can't tell you how much this blog speaks to my soul. Like you I've searched high and low to find Ro-Tel (found it at a Walmart) and Wolf Brand chili (no dice), and of course forget about the Tex-Mex (though the real Mexican food you can find is pretty damn good).

I was hoping you'd publish a cookbook- I'll be counting the months until November 2011! Keep cookin' and writin'!

I sure has hell can't cook. But I love to eat. And I think leaving the food behind was the worst part of leaving Texas. I grew up in Odessa and then lived a long time in Austin. I'm a composer and a performer and New York is a better place for my career, hands down. But looking at the food on here almost brought a tear to my eye. I might have to learn how to cook now.

I'm a little behind on reading your blog and somehow missed that you're writing a book! I can't tell you how excited I am to have your recipes in print. My parents are from Dallas, I grew up in Houston, and I spent my college years in Austin, so I often know the of the delicious foods you make and the restaurants you speak of when you travel home. The problem? I don't know how to make them! I look forward to the printing of your book and would reserve my own copy now if I could. Good luck!–Courtney

I am so excited for your cookbook, and have already pre-ordered two on Amazon! I came across your blog awhile ago, and later discovered that you were a fellow AC alum. I was happy to see the article in this quarter's AC magazine on you and the upcoming book. Congratulations on your success, and thank you for passing along your delicious recipes! I can't wait to see the new recipes in September! -Julie

TOO COOL!!!! A cousin of mine just bought it and I can't wait to buy mine. We both grew up in TX and moved in the last 11 years…her to Ohio and me to GA…total lack of Mexican food here…BBQ is hopeful as we just got a Dickey's near my office, but poor service, so who knows how long they will be around. 🙁 LOVED the Herrera's comment…it was every Friday night in our family…after dinner with parents and aunt/uncle, they drank the BRIGHT green margaritas while we played in the "game room". LOL! Thank you for writing this book! Off to order my copy!

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